Preserving Our Planet

One of the elephants found in Myanmar with its skin removed. Sick new poaching trend As if elephants didn’t have enough to deal with due to the ivory trade, now they are being persecuted for their skin. The UK’s Environment Secretary, Michael Gove, recently announced plans to ban the sale of all ivory products. But this doesn’t affect the current poaching methods or save the 20 elephants recently killed. Why? Because in a sick new trend that has been circulating for the last 3 years or so, elephants are now being hunted in Asia only for their thick hides. The 20 were killed by poisonous darts – some of them mothers and calves. The skin was half-peeled off whilst their bodies were still warm, and their remains left in the forest to rot. Traditional beliefs across Asia have exacerbated this trend of using elephant skin to make bracelets, further decimating their declining numbers. This horrifying poaching epidemic stems from this lucrative business opportunity with claims...

 The rhino horn is a money-spinning commodity The rhino poaching crisis and why they need your help! Rhinos have recently been hitting the headlines for all the wrong reasons. The rhino poaching crisis has hit an all-time high and they need our help for their survival. Last week, in Bloemfontein, South Africa, an investigation was opened after zoo officials de-horned two rhinos. Whilst they have been suspended, the horns have not been recovered intimating they may have been sold already on the lucrative black market in Asia where demand is high. Then there was Sudan on Tinder – a dating website - that made something of a mockery of the last Northern White male in existence. The media frenzy over Sudan made him a household name. However, sites like Virascoop, who called it ‘the best thing you’ll see all day’, just downplayed his situation. This ensured his plight didn’t necessarily stimulate the serious influence it intended. Laughing emojis appeared all over social medi...

The distinguishing eye markings of the vaquita   The race is on to save the world's smallest cetacean, the vaquita, a unique and beautiful porpoise. Until a couple of months ago, I’d never heard of a vaquita: a beautifully elusive porpoise which is also unknown to Word since it doesn’t recognise its name. For this reason, I am shrugging off the mantle of blame for my ignorance. After all, I live in the UK - vaquitas are endemic to the Gulf of California; I live nowhere near the sea - they live in the Sea of Cortez; Word doesn’t recognise its name – I am a wordsmith, not a nautical expert with a degree in ecology and marine biology. You can’t really be surprised at most of my generation being unaware of vaquitas either – they were only discovered in 1958. Being so rare, it is unfortunately due to the threat of extinction that they have now swum reluctantly into the media light. You only need to look at a picture of a vaquita to see how uniquely beautiful t...

     Joseph Kony: the face responsible for far too many atrocities   The ugly truth of poaching   This week, I’m back in Africa, focusing on just one of the many grave issues swilling about in the fuliginous reality that is poaching: the most contentious issue regarding conservation currently muddying some of our social media channels. Those behind this issue include the poaching Kingpin, Joseph Kony.   For years, allegations of corrupt officials, terrorist involvement and debase governments have imperturbably been cast about by apoplectic supporters of iconic animals such as elephants and rhinos. Blame has been laid firmly at the door of the Chinese for their ivory trinkets – a market worth billions.   No longer are the poachers’ actions a secret, and organisations and governments alike have vowed to eradicate poaching completely. Not surprisingly, David Attenborough has even voiced his opinion and leading Hollywood heart throb, Le...